Shohei Ohtani’s impressive performance this season can be encapsulated in one statement: unable to pitch in 2024, he opted to make an impact by stealing nearly 60 bases.
Ohtani has displayed speed throughout his career, but his achievement of 59 stolen bases this season marks a significant leap from his prior record of 26. The former MVP has clearly made a deliberate effort to disrupt the game on the basepaths, and this increase in steals cannot solely be attributed to recent MLB rule changes — he stole just 20 bases in 2023 when those changes were introduced.
This shift in strategy made Ohtani the first player in MLB history to achieve a 50-50 season, positioning him for his third MVP title and his first in the National League.
So, how fast is Ohtani? According to Baseball Savant, Ohtani averaged a sprint speed of 28.1 mph this season, placing him 152nd among 488 players with a minimum of 25 competitive runs. While he possesses above-average speed, it might not be what one expects from someone with 59 stolen bases. Ohtani’s speed is closer to the league average of 27 mph than that of the stolen base leader, Elly De La Cruz, who reaches speeds of 30 mph.
Nevertheless, Ohtani has capitalized on every opportunity on the bases. His ability to walk frequently provides him with more chances than most players, and his height offers a slight edge in transitioning between bases. However, being taller can also hinder speed. Both Ohtani (6-4) and De La Cruz (6-5) have defied expectations regarding their speed.
Teammate Gavin Lux remarked in May, “You don’t expect a guy built like that to be able to move how he does,” reflecting on Ohtani’s running abilities.
Ohtani’s intuition regarding game situations—such as the ideal lead and timing of his runs—has led to an impressive 93.7 percent success rate on stolen base attempts, highlighting his skill in navigating the bases effectively.
As for the fastest players in MLB for the 2024 season, here is the list of the top 12 players based on average sprint speeds (mph) for those with at least 25 competitive runs:
1. Bobby Witt Jr. 30.5 Royals 31 SB
2. Johan Rojas 30.1 Phillies 25 SB
3. Elly De La Cruz 30.0 Reds 67 SB
4. Tyler Fitzgerald 30.0 Giants 17 SB
5. Pete Crow-Armstrong 30.0 Cubs 27 SB
6. Victor Scott II 30.0 Cardinals 5 SB
7. Jorge Mateo 29.9 Orioles 13 SB
8. Jose Siri 29.9 Rays 14 SB
9. Garrett Hampson 29.8 Royals 7 SB
10. Jeremy Pena 29.8 Astros 20 SB
11. Johnny DeLuca 29.8 Rays 16 SB
12. Wyatt Langford 29.8 Rangers 19 SB
While Ohtani can run, his average speed of 28.1 mph does not place him among the speed elite. It’s important to note that sprint speed does not directly correlate with the total number of stolen bases. Many of the fastest players may not be everyday starters, as speed alone does not warrant a constant spot in the lineup. Some players, like Witt, are also cautious about risking injuries.
Both Ohtani and De La Cruz demonstrated a style of play this season that focused on creating chaos on the bases. The fact that Ohtani amassed 59 stolen bases without exceptional speed makes his accomplishment even more impressive.